Local News

New Mexico Highlands University Regents have approved a $42.1 million unrestricted operating budget that covers a number of increased expenses and spares the school’s rodeo and wrestling programs.

The budget submitted to regents is balanced, and it includes a 2.2 percent overall reduction in state funding, Highlands President James Fries told regents Monday. He said part of that funding decrease includes retirement changes approved by state lawmakers earlier this year.

Saturday, April 29 — When Ben Bruhn arrived this morning at his livery stable, which is located on Twelfth Street between Douglas and National avenues, he discovered an attempt had been made last night to crack his safe. He also discovered that a man named Charles Williams, who had been employed by him at the stable, had disappeared together with a valuable horse, saddle and bridle... Three holes were bored in the safe door... Evidently the robbers had been frightened away before being able to complete their job.

A spaghetti luncheon fundraiser benefit for Relay for Life, Las Vegas will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday at the West Las Vegas High School Cafeteria. A $5 per person donation is requested. For tickets or for more information, call 429-2297.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 81. Windy, with a west wind 15-20 mph, increasing to 35-40 mph. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. Mostly clear at night, with a low around 43. Windy, with a west wind 30-35 mph. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph.

Saturday
A 10 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. West wind around 15 mph. Mostly cloudy at night, with a low around 31. A slight chance of snow showers after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20percent.

A trip into space with Virgin Galactic as the driver will cost passengers $200,000, according to The Associated Press. An executive with the space company founded by Sir Richard Branson says the flight lasts two hours after lifting off from New Mexico’s Spaceport America near Truth or Consequences. Virgin Galactic says test flights are still being conducted.

The New Mexico Highlands University Performing Arts Club and the HU Singers present “Disney Magic” May 6 and 7 at 7 p.m., and May 8 at 3 p.m., in the university’s Ilfeld Auditorium, 900 University Ave.

The two-hour choral production features a medley of songs from Beauty and the Beast, Hercules, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid. Highlands’ students will take center stage for the roles, and also play active roles behind the scenes.

ALBUQUERQUE — Los Alamos National Laboratory and a coalition of community groups reached a settlement Wednesday in a legal battle over storm water runoff from the northern New Mexico lab.
The deal stems from a 2008 complaint that alleged the lab violated its federal clean water permit and allowed storm water with contaminants from sites around the lab to run off in levels that exceeded standards. The lab disputed the claims.

ALBUQUERQUE — The investigation into what caused a twin-engine plane carrying cocaine to crash into a lake in northern New Mexico is marked more by what authorities haven't found and won't say than by what is known.

A preliminary report says the crash at Heron Lake was an accident and that the airplane was destroyed.